National Poll: Nearly Three-Quarters Say Pres. Trump Should Stay Out of NFL Business

A Seton Hall Sports Poll has found that 71% of Americans would like President Trump to stay out of the NFL controversy surrounding the protest actions of players during the national anthem. 23% say he should continue to comment.

Just a month ago, 37% felt it was appropriate for the President to get involved in the issue, when the question was posed regarding his call for a petition to support standing for the anthem.

“That represents a rather dramatic decline in just 30 days regarding the President’s personal involvement,” said Poll Director Rick Gentile. “The 37% support last month was in line with his general support on most issues. It could certainly indicate that the public wants to say ‘enough!’”

The poll was taken this week (November 27-29) across the nation, on both landlines and cell phones, with randomly placed telephone calls. The poll is sponsored by The Sharkey Institute. There were 719 respondents, with a margin of error of +/- 3.7%.

The poll asked if keeping players in the locker room during the playing of the national anthem next season would be an effective way for the NFL to deal with the controversy. 63% said no, and 27% said yes.

The Poll also asked whether people intended to purchase any NFL merchandise this holiday season, with 20% saying yes and 74% saying no. Of those saying yes a fifth said they were affected by the current controversies, and of those saying no, a third were affected by the controversies.

As for the rehiring of Roger Goodell as NFL commissioner, only 19% felt his contract should be extended, while double that — 39% — said the NFL should look for a new commissioner. 42% didn’t know or had no opinion. Among those saying they were African-American, 43% were in favor of his contract being extended, while only 15% of whites were so inclined.

The Poll also asked whether the current method for determining the college football championship is fair to all qualifying NCAA schools. 34% said yes, 23% no, with 43% indicating “don’t know” or not having an opinion.